Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 14.1
IFC Performance Standard 5 Land Acquisition and Involuntary Resettlement
Involuntary resettlement should be avoided or minimized wherever feasible by exploring alternative project designs.
Resettlement action plans should be developed for cases where displacement is unavoidable.
Land rights should be acquired through negotiated settlements wherever possible, even if the project developer has
the legal means to gain access to the land without the seller's consent.
Resettlement programmes should improve or at least restore the livelihoods and standards of living of displaced
persons.
Resettlement programmes should improve living conditions among displaced persons through provision of adequate
housing with security of tenure.
The project developer will provide opportunities to displaced persons and communities to derive appropriate devel-
opment benefi ts from the project.
The project developer will consult with and facilitate the informed participation of affected persons and communities,
including host communities, in decision-making processes related to resettlement.
Resettlement should be conceived and executed as a development programme.
Adverse social and economic impacts from land acquisition or restrictions on affected persons' use of land should be
mitigated by:
- Providing compensation for loss of assets at full replacement cost;
- Ensuring that resettlement activities are implemented with appropriate disclosure of information and the informed
participation of those affected.
Compensation and resettlement assistance should not only be limited to affected persons that hold legal title to the
land. The Bank recognizes the existence of usufruct or customary rights to the land or use of resources.
The importance of managing resettlement is now recognized by a majority of bilateral
and multilateral lenders, development banks and private i nancial institutions. Some have
followed the World Bank's example and have developed their own resettlement policies
and guidelines. The ADB Handbook on Resettlement 'A Guide to Good Practice' (1998)
describes resettlement planning in the context of the ADB's project cycle. It elaborates on
key resettlement planning concepts; explains data collection and participatory methods,
and their application to resettlement planning; and reviews income restoration.
Past experiences clearly illustrate the perils of resettlement: failure will jeopardize the
success of the entire mining project. Trauma, social unrest, conl ict and impoverishment
caused by resettlement and by the associated disruption of existing social patterns, once
developed, are difi cult to reverse. Their consequences may haunt the mine operation
throughout its life.
14.1 SOME USEFUL DEFINITIONS
The issue of resettlement presents two opposing sides that form a whole: displacement and
livelihood restoration. The i rst side, displacement, is the process of people losing land,
assets, or access to resources. The second side, livelihood restoration, is the process of assist-
ing adversely affected people in their effort to improve, or at a minimum to restore their
previous living standards. All activities related to resettlement, from land recognition, land
The issue of resettlement
presents two opposing sides that
form a whole: displacement and
livelihood restoration.
 
 
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